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Metropolitan Police Service
Operation Hotton
Operation Hotton was a series of nine linked independent investigations concerning police officers from the Metropolitan Police Service, (MPS). Most officers held the rank of police constable and were based mainly at Charing Cross Police Station, Agar Street, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4JP | Map
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) report found evidence of:
- Discrimination
- Misogyny
- Harassment
- Homophobic slurs
- Bullying
The IOPC says the messages included:
- Messages about police officers attending a festival dressed as known sex offenders sent within a WhatsApp group containing 17 police officers
- Numerous messages about rape within WhatsApp and Facebook chat groups
- Homophobic comments; eg: “Gayyyyyy”, “You fucking gay!” and “Fuck you bender...😂😂”
- Use of words that could be considered misogynist, racist, or constituting disability discrimination
Dates are absent from the IOPC report though:
- Actions happened: 2016 and 2018
- Actions uncovered: 2017
- Inquiry launched: March 2018 (nine linked independent investigations)
Source: BBC News article | 1 Feb 2022
Of the 14 officers investigated:
- 2 were dismissed for gross misconduct and put on the barred list, preventing future employment with the police
- 2 resigned and several others faced disciplinary action
- 9 are still serving with the force
- 1 is working as a contractor in a staff role
"Our recommendations seek to tackle a range of issues, which if not addressed, can lead to the creation of environments in which unprofessional and inappropriate conduct can thrive and go unchallenged. Policing in the United Kingdom is by consent, which means the trust and confidence that the public has in the police service is critical. The behaviours we uncovered risked causing serious damage to that relationship. Although the matters we investigated occurred three years ago, we know through our independent investigations, the communities we engage with and concerns raised by officers and the wider public, that these were not isolated incidents"
Operation Hotton: Learning Report | Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
Operation Hotton: Learning Report | Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales. It investigates the most serious matters, including deaths following police contact, and set the standards by which the police should handle complaints. It uses learning from its work to influence changes in policing. The IOPC is independent, making its decisions entirely independently of the police and government.
Sadiq Khan demands Met chief Dame Cressida Dick's plan to win back trust within weeks | BBC | 9 Feb 2022
‘Furious’ Sadiq Khan puts Met Police chief Cressida Dick ‘on notice’ over homophobia and racism | Pink News | 3 Feb 2022
London mayor puts Met commissioner Dame Cressida Dick on notice | BBC | 2 Feb 2022
Met Police: Watchdog slams misogyny and bullying within ranks | BBC | 1 Feb 2022
Damning report reveals offensive culture of racist and homophobic messages sent as ‘banter’ | The Guardian | 1 Feb 2022
‘F**k you bender’: Police officers ‘joked’ about being gay and rape, damning report finds | Pink News | 1 Feb 2022
Culture Of ‘Misogyny, Racism And Homophobia’ Uncovered In Met Police | Huffington Post | 1 Feb 2022
